UW-Whitewater Chancellor Saunders named University of Southern Mississippi president

WHITEWATER –  Chancellor Martha Saunders has been appointed president of the University of Southern Mississippi, her alma mater. Chancellor Saunders will begin her new post about May 21.

“The opportunity to return to my hometown in a leadership role is compelling.  I will assist in the rebuilding of a campus devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and will work to move USM to its next level of academic excellence,” Chancellor Saunders said.

“I am mindful that I am leaving one of the finest universities in the country. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will continue to thrive because of the quality of its faculty and staff and the incredible talents of its student body.  The legacy here is strong and will remain so.”

UW System President Kevin P. Reilly, who is expected to name an interim chancellor soon, acknowledged that Chancellor Saunders’ success in Wisconsin made her a strong candidate for this new leadership post.

“Wisconsin’s loss is definitely Mississippi’s gain. This is a terrific professional and personal opportunity for Chancellor Saunders. She earned a reputation here as an astute and energetic leader, and a great ambassador for our public university. We will move quickly to name an interim chancellor, to ensure continuity in leadership for UW-Whitewater students, faculty and staff,” President Reilly said.